Combining Creativity & Connections With Nature
Have you ever really looked at the nature around the places you live, work, or generally exist? I mean really looked at it? Sure, you know that your backyard has trees, you have seen weeds mingling with the grass beneath your feet, you may be aware of a few species of bird that like to frequent your area. But have you ever really taken some intentional time to NOTICE everything in the ecosystem around you? There is so much simple magic in thoughtfully observing the nature around the spaces you occupy, and recognizing the species you share your life with. Additionally, the more you observe, the more you notice - patterns, disruptions and the like. Getting to know and love nature through observation and creative interpretation can provide a strong foundation for being more thoughtful about the world around you, and how you connect with it.
I recently started Nature Journaling. It’s something I have always wanted to do, especially after seeing “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Yet I never really made an effort to do it, but did frequently make excuses - I’m bad at drawing, I am not able to identify many things without assistance, I don’t have time, etc. Recently, I decided I wanted my mindset and lifestyle in general to change. I decided to be intentional about spending time prioritizing my physical and mental health, spending time in nature, and spending time engaged in a creative outlet. I also enrolled in a Master Naturalist program this spring, so nature journaling as a hobby seemed like a no-brainer. It has evolved into an immersive learning opportunity as well.
As I pen this, a black-capped chickadee dines at my porch bird feeder. I wouldn’t have been able to recognize, much less identify this species a few months ago. Being intentional about observing the natural world and its systems around me has allowed me the great fortune of being able to identify them. There is so much biodiversity in my backyard that I never really paid attention to before. Spending just a few minutes a day poking around outside and drawing/journaling about it later has shown me how much magic there is to observe all around me every day that I have failed to appreciate until now.
Nature journaling is simple. Like me, you don’t have to be an artist. All you need is a writing utensil and a surface to draw on. Currently, I prefer working with a hard-cover lined notebook and colored pencils. Use what you have.
Get outside and find some plants. Even if it is just a patch of grass. You’d be surprised how many different features of the ground are underfoot if you’re not paying attention.
Typically I take pictures of the things I see and want to learn more about if I am not able to identify them by sight. I am still learning, something I hope to continue to do for all my life. I like to draw my subject there in the moment if possible so that I can look at it from different angles, feel it, and observe it as a whole. However, I am not opposed to snapping pictures to identify and use as a reference later. Personally, I use Google Image Search to help identify the plant and draw conclusions. I know this isn’t an exact science, but that’s not the reason I am doing it. I am looking for a creative outlet and a way to better connect with the environment, and making an educated guess is good enough for me.
By doing surface-level research on each of the species I observe, I also learn about the benefits or potential issues associated with the plants around me. I just noticed purple deadnettle in the grass around my house yesterday, which I have since learned has medicinal properties, including anti-inflammation. Reflecting on it now, I am almost ashamed that I haven’t been paying more attention to the world around me and the true wonders of my lawn and beyond. I can say that I am glad to have released my inhibitions and picked this up as a hobby.
Having a creative outlet and spending time in nature can both be beneficial for mental health. Intentionally setting time aside to be outside, with no great rush and the ability to truly observe, has been a small change to my regular routine with an enormous impact.
If you are a nature journaler, or are interested in picking it up as a hobby, we want to hear from you! Tag us on Instagram.
Check out my most recent pieces below and tell me what you think!
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